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DANBURY, CONN. — Anthony Trujillo, Peace Corps volunteer and recruitment representative, will speak from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 10, 2012, in Warner Hall on the Western Connecticut State University Midtown campus, 181 White St. Danbury. Trujillo’s presentation, “Live, Learn and Work with a Community Abroad,” will provide insight into the Peace Corps volunteer experience. Attendees can ask questions prior to the talk from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. at an information table, also located in Warner Hall. The event will be free and the public is invited. The WCSU Career Development Center is sponsoring Trujillo’s visit.

Trujillo will share his experiences living and working in Mongolia and the Ukraine so students can gain an understanding of the benefits of international service. The Peace Corps provides a learning experience that takes students beyond the typical classroom environment and immerses them into a new world where they have the chance to explore and connect with an entirely different lifestyle and culture. Through this cultural exchange, students also can become a part of the Peace Corps initiative to promote international cooperation. Volunteers serve in 75 countries in locations such as Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, South America, Europe, the Pacific Islands and the Middle East.

Peace Corps volunteers typically live and work within a community for 27 months where their skills are matched with international assignments in fields such as English/ESL teaching, sustainable agriculture, forestry and environment, community health, youth and community development and business and IT. Students acquire new perspectives into a people and way of life that was once foreign to them while also heightening their skills.

There also are tangible advantages to be gained from the Peace Corps service, including credit and financial assistance towards graduate school, full health and dental coverage while in service, and $7,425 upon service completion. Through the Peace Corps service, a student’s employment potential also increases and there is special eligibility for federal jobs — thus giving students a chance to launch their careers.

For questions about the application process, call (800) 424-8580 or send an email to atrujillo2@peacecoprs.gov. Students must apply by Sunday, Sept. 30, for departure in summer 2013.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.